Our Lady of the Garden, Sisters of
OUR LADY OF THE GARDEN, SISTERS OF
(OLG); also known as Gianelline, or Hortus Conclusus ; a papal religious congregation founded by St. Anthony gianelli, Jan. 12, 1829, at Chiavari, in Liguria, Italy, with the collaboration of Sister Caterina Podestà, who succeeded Gianelli upon his death in 1846 as superior general, and gave a vigorous impulse to the institute. Sister Podestà went to Rome (1864) to obtain papal approval of the institute and of the rules (1882). During the plague in Liguria (1835–37) the sisters became distinguished for such heroic charity that they were awarded medals of merit by King Charles Albert. The impulse of social charity has directed their activities to hospitals, schools for girls, homes for the aged, and orphanages. In 1856 the first members went to South America and undertook hospital work in Montevideo. From there they spread to Argentina (1859), Brazil (1908), Chile (1929), and Paraguay (1945). They also began work in Jordan (1901), Spain (1949), and the U.S. (1962). The generalate is in Rome.
Bibliography: l. rodino, Istoria del religioso istituto delle Figlie di Maria SS. dell'Orto (Genoa 1889).
[a. ferraironi]